Lamp support



Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,951

- w. L. MORRISON LAMP SUPPORT Filed May 28, 1925 Patented leg. 14, 1928.UNITED STATES 1+- eerel r MELRQSE masse s LAMP rrer;

Application filed May 28,

lamps or the like, which is simple in" con-.

sti'uction and eilicient in operation. Another object of the inventionis to provide improved means for detachably supporting an electric lampor. plug socket and for connecting the same to a source of electricalenergy. A further object of'the invention is to provide an improvedreflector for lamps or the like.

The ordinary low-voltage lamp socket uni yersally used in automobileservice, comprises 'a socket shell, a plunger associated with one of thecurrent conductors and movable longitudinally within the shell, and aspring for urging the plunger toward the shank of a lampidisposed withinthe shell, to lock the lamp to the socket. These prior sockets arerelatively objectionable since the springsused therein frequently becomeinoperative duerto corrosion or breakage, thus necessitating dismantlingof the socket and replacement of the spring. The presentinventioncontemplates in part, provision of a simple and etlicientmethodfor eliminating necessity of replacing the locking springs of theprior "art, and comprises provision of once]: more pieces or yvashers ofsoft rubber for urging the locking plunger toward locking position.These rubber pieces besides eliminating the spring replacement nuisance,also simplify insulation difficulties and leduce the cost ofconstruction and of maintenanceof lamp sockets, to a minimum.

While it is, desirable in automobiles and other vehicles, to haveelectric lights available at the dash boards and in other places, agreat many cars' are not initially equipped with dash lights andservicesockets in places where the latter are most desirable. Thepresent invention further contemplates in part, provision of simple,eflicient and attractive means for detachably supporting an electric,lamp or plug socket upon various parts of a machine, and especiallyupon the dash board of an automobile, and for connecting the socket to asource' of electric In accordancepwiththis ,feature of th n ti .eswketrese d p i 192;, Serial m. 33,329.

removable clamp or support having a terminal coactable -directly ivithone of the terminals of an ammeter "or the likelassociated with the dashboard or other part of the car. In accordance with the improvement,thesupport may be providecl with several sockets disposable at variousplaces, and may be applied and removed by a novice.

The invention additionally contemplates provision ofan improvedreflector. attachable directly to a standard electric lamp, vherehy thellffllll may be deflected in any desired direction. The improvedreflector besides beingextremely simple and compact in structure, isreadily attachable and manipulable to direct the light as desiredl'-'Ehcs,e and other objects and advantages of the improvement will beapparent from the following description.

A clear conception "of the novel features of the invention and ofthemanner of constructing and of manipulating devices manufactured' inaccordance therewith, maybe had by referring to the drawing accompanyingand forming apart of this specification in which like referencecharacters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 apart sectional side elevation of the improved lamp socket andofthe detachable" mounting means therefor, showmg. the same supportingan electric lamp from the dash board of an automobile.

F Qis .a direct "front view of the improved lamp support and of animproved deflector applied to a amp and to a fragment of an automobiledash board. i

F 1g. 3. is a transverse section through the beaded portion of theresilient clamping support and of the conducting Wire disposed therein.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the resilient clamping support,the section being taken at theconductors'et .screiv.

Fig. 5 is a punt Sectional side elevation of ,aFig. (3 is a rear iew ofthe modified socket a modified form of theimprovedalamp socket o ingmeans, l oking directly toward the auxiliary lamp or plug socket.

Fig. 7 is asideelevation of the auxiliary lamp or plug socket-associatedwiththe m d te o mounting means of Fig. 5 an 6. 7

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Referring to the drawing, the improved lamp support or socket consistsof a socket shell 2. 25 having a locking slot 26 in the side wallthereof and having a central hole 8 in its end; an insulated conductoror wire 9. 27 extending into the interior of the shell 2, 2.1 throughthe end hole 8; a. plunger or conductor plate 1.1 rigidly attached as bysoldering to the end of the wire 27 within the shell 2, 25; and a pairof soft rubber pieces or washers 12 embracing the wire 9, 27 between theplate 11 and the rear end of the shell 2, The standard low-voltage lamp3 has a. cylindrical shank 4 and a central terminal insulated from theshank 4 and disposable within the shell 2, 25, and also has a. laterallyprojecting; locking pin 7 adapted to eoact with the locking slot 26 ofthe socket shell 2. 25 when the lamp 3 is secured within the socket. Thelamp 3 may have two oppositely disposed locking pins 7, in which eventthe shell 2, 25 would be provided with oppositely disposed locking slots26 in an obvious manner.

The improved socket mounting means specifically illustrated in Figs. 1and 2, comprises a resilient U-shaped clamping support 133 having anelevated bead 16 extending along the bend thereof and providing a housinfor the conducting wire 9. The support is preferably formed of springmetal and the ends of the support are biased toward each other in orderto exert a clamping pres sure upon intervening structure such as a dashboard. The socket shell 2 is rigidly attached to the outer side of oneend of the support 13, and the opposite side of the said support end iscovered with insulating mate- :lai 21 as shown. An inwardly projectingpositioningand retaining lug 22 may also be formed integral with thesocket supporting end of the support 13 and faced with insulation on theinner side thereof. The opposite. end of the support 13 is provided witha connecting terminal cup 21 to which the end of the wire 9 is solderedor otherwise permanently attached. The intermediate beaded portion ofthe support 13 has an inner covering of insulation 17 which serves toretain the wire 5) within the head 16. The portion of the support 13adjacent to the socket shell 2 is distorted to provide a threadedopening within which the conducting set screw 11 is adjustably mounted.

The modified socket mounting means spe cifically illustrated in Figs. 5,6 and 7, is substantially similar in construction to that disclosed inFigs. 1 and 2. but has an auxiliary socket shell 25 rigidly attached tothe leg thereof which is disposable below the dash board. The conductorwire 27 one end 01- which is rigidly attached to the plunger plate 11within the shell 25, has its opposite end rigidly attached totheterminal cup 21 as shown in Fig. 6 and 7.

The improved reflector specifically illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5comprises :1 reflecting hood 5 and a spring clamp 6, the former beingassociable with a lamp bulb as shown and bein detachably held inposition by the clamp (3 which embraces the lamp shank 4-. \Vhile theclamp (3 exerts sutlicicnt pressure against the shank 1 to tirmly retainthe reflector in place, the shield 5 may readily be shifted to anydesired position about the central axis of the lamp.

The standard automobile dash board shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of awooden dash board disposed at an angle as shown, a sheet metal plate 18covering the board 19 and providinga ground coimection. an instrumentpanel 15 mounted directly upon the plate 18 and an ammcter 23 and otherinstruments associated directly with the panel 15. The annnetcr 23 has aterminal 20 which is connected to a battery or other source ofelectrical energy in a well known manner.

in order to attach a lamp or a standard connector plug to one of theimproved sockets, it is only necessary to insert. the shank -1- withinthe shell 2, with the pins 7 in line with the slots 26. By pressing thelamp terminal 10 against the plunger 11, the rubber washers 12 arecompressed slightly and it becomes possible to turn the lamp shank 1 sothat the pins 7 move into locking position within the lateral extensionsoi the slots 21). lVhen the pins 7 have been thus positioned, the rubberwashers 12 expand slightly and firmly lock the lamp 3 within the socket.Removal of the lamp or plug n'iay be etiected in an obvious manner. 7

In order to detachably connect one 01' the resilient supports 13 to thedash board of an automobile, it is only necessary to spread the arms ofthe support 1?, and to slip the same over the lower edge of the dashboard as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. After positioning the terminal cup 21in contact with the annnetcr or other terminal 21). and properlypositioning the upper socket carrying arm with the insulated lace ol theprojc -tioi'i 22 in contact with the side of the instrument panel 15.the arms of the supiiort 1 1 may be released and firmly lock the supportin place. With the appliance thus positioned, the set screw 1-1 whichpret'crably has an insulated o 'n.*ratin; head. may be screwed intocontact with the surl'ace ol' the instrument panel 15 as shown in Fig.1.. whereupon the electric cireuit is completed and the lamp 3 is lit.lVith the lamp 3 thus lit, current pas es from the terminals 20, 21through the wire 9, plunger 11. terminal 10, lamp filament. shank 4:,socket shell 2, support 13. and setscrew 14: to the ground. By adjustingthe set screw 11 to a position of discnmiaement with the panel 15, thecircuit is broken and the lamp 3 isput out.

device may obviously be accomplished by a novice.

The use of a reflector 5 is extremely desirable in connection with alamp 3 disposed above the dash board, in order to prevcntliav' ig theglare from interfering with the driver vision. 5 may be adjusted todeflect the light in any desired direction and may be readily applied,adjusted and removed. I

From the foregoing description. it will be apparent that the inventionprovides a simple compact and efficient appliance -tor providing a dashor service light at the dash board or other part of a vehicle. The

improved lamp socket besides being simple and compact, is suitablyinsulated by virtue of the rubber Washers 12. The support 13 is likewiseproperly insulated and protected against short circuiting by theinsulation 17, 24 and the exposed metal. parts may obviously be nickelplated to present a neat and attractive appearance. While the device hasbeen specifically illustrated as being especially applicable to Fordcars, the invention is obviously capable of more general application.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact details of construction herein shown and deductor connectingsaid The improved reflector scribed, for various modifications withinthe scope of the claims may occur to persons skilled inthe art. a

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: p

1. A support adapted for attachment of an electric lamp to the dashboard of an automobile, comprising, a U-shaped metal support havinglongitudinally recessed arms resiliently biased toward each other andagainst the opposite sides of the dash board, alamp socket carried bythe upperend of one of said arms, a terminal carried by the upper end ofthe other of said arms, a consocket and said tern'iinal, said conductorlying within the arm recesses and being insulated from said support, andmeans for grounding said support through the dashboard. y

2, A support adapted for attachment of an electric lamp to the dashboard 01 an automobile, comprising, a U-shaped meta-l support havinglongitudinally recessed arms resiliently biased toward each other andagainst the opposite sides of the dash board, a lamp socket carried bythe upper end of one of said arms, a second lamp socket carried by amedial portion of the other of said arms, a terminal carried by theupper end of said other arm, a conductor connecting said sockets andsaid terminal, said conductor lying within the arm'recesses and beinginsulated from said support, and means tor grounding said supportthrough the dash board.

Intestimony whereof, the signature of the'inventor is aflixed hereto. 1

WILLARD L. Mon-arson.

